Today's Paper
» NATIONAL
» ANDHRA PRADESH

Mumbai link in Paritala killing?

HYDERABAD: While the motive behind the killing of former TDP legislator Paritala Ravindra in Anantapur two years ago could be political rivalry or factionalism, the connection with the Mumbai underworld in the sensational murder has now come to light.

The weapons used in the killing, which led to a political storm in the State, were believed to have been supplied by the Mumbai underworld through the gangster Azeez Reddy. Police sources quoting the confessional statement of P. Goverdhan Reddy, one of the prime accused in Ravindra’s murder case, said Azeez Reddy had supplied four sophisticated firearms that were used by the killers The weapons included two .38 revolvers, one .32 revolver and a 9 mm carbine, it is learnt.

Recent catch

Goverdhan Reddy of Revolutionary Patriotic Tigers (RPT), facing many criminal charges including eight murders, dacoities and extortions, was arrested by the Cyberabad police soon after the MLA’s murder.

After coming out from jail on bail, he had gone underground only to be caught by the city police recently.

During interrogation, he reportedly revealed some facts that brought to the fore the mafia connection to Paritala Ravindra’s murder. He told the police that the alleged mastermind behind the MLA’s killing, Suri, had even procured two bullet-proof jackets from Singapore through one of his associates hailing from Dharmavaram in Anantapur.

“Goverdhan Reddy, however, claims that he and his gang members did not use the jackets fearing it would expose them,” a police officer explained.

Having procured the weapons, the gang studied movements of the MLA. It tried to attack him at least thrice but failed to execute their plans since their target had high security coverage.

Continues contacts

After two months of the murder of Ravi, the Cyberabad police arrested Goverdhan and his accomplices. After being released from jail, Goverdhan allegedly continued his contacts with Azeez Reddy’s brother-in-law Pavan living in Mumbai and went there twice to meet him.

Produced in court

Anantapur Staff Reporter adds: Meanwhile, Goverdhan Reddy was produced in the Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate’s court here on Friday on a transfer of prisoner’s warrant.

All the 16 accused in the case are in judicial custody now with the production of Goverdhan Reddy in court. Goverdhan Reddy requested Judge A. Moses to allow him to speak to his counsel for 10 minutes on Friday, but the judge turned down his plea directing him to file a formal petition for the same. The court postponed the case to Saturday to decide on his judicial custody.

Meanwhile, speaking to mediapersons, Govardhan Reddy said his fight against faction leaders will continue. He said Suri was also moving in the same direction as that of Paritala Ravi and warned that he too would not be spared if he failed to mend ways.